Raymond Burr
Family life
[edit]In the mid-1950s, Burr met Robert Benevides (born February 9, 1930, in Visalia, California)[51] a young actor and Korean War veteran, on the set of Perry Mason. According to Benevides, they became a couple around 1960. Benevides gave up acting in 1963[52][53] and later became a production consultant for 21 of the Perry Mason TV movies.[54] Together they owned and operated an orchid business and then a vineyard,[55] in the Dry Creek Valley. They were partners until Burr's death in 1993.[54] Burr left Benevides his entire estate, including "all my jewelry, clothing, books, works of art,...and other items of a personal nature."[56]
Later accounts of Burr's life explain that he hid his homosexuality to protect his career. In 2000, AP reporter Bob Thomas recalled the situation:[52][57]
It was an open secret...that he was gay. He had a companion who was with him all the time. That was a time in Hollywood history when homosexuality was not countenanced. Ray was not a romantic star by any means, but he was a very popular figure...if it was revealed at that time in Hollywood history [that he was gay] it would have been very difficult for him to continue.
lain: Of course you do.
